General Mitchell International to Tucson International MKE → TUS
1,269 nautical miles (1,460 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 247°, about 251° magnetic at the departure end (variation 4W). At 120 knots that is 13 h 21 min at the quickest height in today's winds (8,500 ft, a 25-knot headwind), arriving about 5:49 pm MST (00:49 UTC). Right now MKE is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 9 knots; TUS is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 5 knots. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 3 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.
The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words
Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the route from 150 to 680 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 849 to 1119 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 909 to 929 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 1099 to 1179 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Near the route, 1159 nm along the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the destination end.
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from MKE.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent BE20 at 500 ft, 37 nm southeast, 4:34 am CDT (09:34 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear 500FT a 10-knot loss of airspeed zkc fd dl. 700 nm along the route, 37 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
LBL UUA /OV LBL/TM 0934/FL005/TP BE20/RM LLWS 500FT +/-10KT ZKC FD DL
- Report
- an urgent report filed through LBL
- Where
- over LBL
- Time
- 09:34 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- BE20
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear 500FT a 10-knot loss of airspeed zkc fd dl
- B739 at 34,000 ft, 16 nm northwest, 5:58 am CDT (10:58 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 16 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
UES UA /OV BAE/TM 1058/FL340/TP B739/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through UES
- Where
- over BAE
- Time
- 10:58 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Turbulence
- none
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 9 forecast points nearest it (JOT, DBQ, DSM, OMA, SLN, GCK, TCC, ABQ, TUS). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 240° at 30 kt | +31 kt | 18 °C | 89 kt | 14 h 16 min | 6:44 pm MST (01:44 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 240° at 27 kt | +27 kt | 18 °C | 93 kt | 13 h 39 min | 6:07 pm MST (01:07 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +25 kt | 12 °C | 95 kt | 13 h 21 min | 5:49 pm MST (00:49 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +27 kt | 8 °C | 93 kt | 13 h 39 min | 6:07 pm MST (01:07 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | +30 kt | 4 °C | 90 kt | 14 h 06 min | 6:34 pm MST (01:34 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 33 kt | +33 kt | 0 °C | 87 kt | 14 h 35 min | 7:03 pm MST (02:03 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 240° at 35 kt | +36 kt | -5 °C | 84 kt | 15 h 06 min | 7:34 pm MST (02:34 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 240° at 37 kt | +38 kt | -8 °C | 82 kt | 15 h 29 min | 7:57 pm MST (02:57 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 48 kt | +48 kt | -20 °C | 72 kt | 17 h 38 min | 10:06 pm MST (05:06 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 250° at 65 kt | +66 kt | -30 °C | 54 kt | 23 h 30 min | 3:58 am MST (10:58 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 66 kt | +66 kt | -37 °C | 54 kt | 23 h 30 min | 3:58 am MST (10:58 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 63 kt | +62 kt | -48 °C | 58 kt | 21 h 53 min | 2:21 am MST (09:21 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.
The forecast points as issued
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOT | used from 0 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 250/25 | 260/22 14° | 250/17 9° | 270/21 5° | 280/28 -8° | 280/36 -20° | 270/41 -35° | 280/57 -42° | 290/65 -50° |
| DBQ | used from 50 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 250/27 | 260/23 17° | 240/26 10° | 260/30 4° | 280/26 -9° | 280/36 -21° | 270/41 -36° | 280/52 -41° | 290/67 -48° |
| DSM | used from 200 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 250/47 | 260/25 20° | 240/19 11° | 240/31 5° | 250/26 -9° | 260/38 -20° | 260/47 -34° | 270/58 -37° | 270/61 -47° |
| OMA | used from 350 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 230/47 | 240/33 21° | 230/22 13° | 220/27 5° | 240/35 -8° | 250/43 -21° | 260/47 -33° | 260/59 -36° | 270/58 -46° |
| SLN | used from 400 nm out; 87 nm from the line | 230/49 | 240/41 22° | 230/26 15° | 220/21 7° | 240/38 -8° | 240/44 -21° | 260/77 -29° | 270/70 -36° | 270/63 -48° |
| GCK | used from 600 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 240/40 22° | 240/40 14° | 240/38 7° | 230/39 -7° | 230/45 -20° | 250/73 -28° | 260/74 -36° | 260/64 -49° | |
| TCC | used from 749 nm out; 109 nm from the line | 240/20 | 230/22 13° | 230/27 6° | 230/40 -7° | 240/55 -18° | 240/74 -27° | 240/68 -37° | 250/64 -49° | |
| ABQ | used from 899 nm out; 68 nm from the line | 220/19 9° | 220/35 3° | 230/50 -8° | 240/64 -19° | 230/83 -26° | 230/85 -36° | 230/80 -48° | ||
| TUS | used from 1149 nm out; 95 nm from the line | 200/12 13° | 200/34 7° | 210/41 4° | 230/53 -7° | 220/69 -19° | 220/84 -27° | 220/88 -36° | 220/83 -48° |
The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKE Milwaukee, WI | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 18,000 feet, a broken layer at 24,000 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 24,000 ft | 728 ft | 5:52 am CDT (10:52 UTC) |
| JVL Janesville, WI | 50 nm out, 5 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 807 ft | 10:45 UTC |
| CID Cedar Rapids, IA | 180 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 869 ft | 10:52 UTC |
| CNC Chariton, IA | 270 nm out, 2 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 12,000 feet | from the south-southwest (200°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,050 ft | 11:15 UTC |
| CYW Clay Center, KS | 470 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 1,208 ft | ||||
| RSL Russell, KS | 550 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 14 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 1,863 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| GCK Garden City, KS | 660 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 20 knots, gusting to 33 | 10+ mi | none | 2,890 ft | 10:54 UTC |
| CAO Clayton, NM | 799 nm out, 11 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 4,969 ft | 10:55 UTC |
| ABQ Albuquerque, NM | 989 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 5,354 ft | 10:52 UTC |
| SAD Safford, AZ | 1189 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 3,178 ft | 10:51 UTC |
| TUS Tucson, AZ | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 2,643 ft | 3:53 am MST (10:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,354 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At TUS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:49 pm MST (00:49 UTC)
Wind from the southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 6,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for TUS
- From Mon 5:00 am MST (12:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am MST (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm MST (23:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 16 knots, gusting to 25, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm MST (06:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 8,000 feet
The forecast for MKE, the departure
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am CDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Tue 3:00 am CDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at MKE 6:14 pm CDT (23:14 UTC), at TUS 5:53 pm MST (00:53 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:18 pm MST (01:18 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: General Mitchell International, Tucson International.